From bruce@ashbysolutions.com Fri Dec 09 14:47:23 2005
Subject:Re: Terminology and technique

Hi Lou,

I don't think that there's a "right" or "wrong" technique to playing palm glisses or smears. I've done them with the palm (most common), the back of the thumb, a forearm or two.

The only thing that I and others have noticed is that the "earthquake gliss" sounds more authoritative if both white and black notes are hit at the same time.

Regards,

-BW

--
Bruce Wahler
Design Consultant
Ashby Solutions™ http://consult.ashbysolutions.com
978.386.7389 voice/fax
bruce@ashbysolutions.com

At 09:23 AM 12/9/2005 -0800, you wrote:
>OK, I'm new to playing organ, so I get to ask the
>really newbie questions. What is it called when
>sliding across the keys (in either direction) ending
>in either a single note or a chord? I have heard it
>called a "gliss", "smears", and "wipes". What is the
>most popular term for that? Gliss might be short for
>glissando which I think is travelling up or down from
>one note to another, actually the definition is, "A
>rapid slide through a series of consecutive tones in a
>scalelike passage."
>
>While on the subject, is there a best way to do the
>gliss or whatever it is called? Palm, side of the
>index finger, back of a finger (scratch keys?), you
>guys who have been doing that for years should have a
>preferred way. If I listen to "Smokin" by Boston, he
>does some pretty fast ones and I would be really
>curious to know his method.
>
>I have to (read that as I GET to) do a couple of these
>in a song this Sunday at church. I am doing OK with
>the ways I have tried, but can't help but wonder if
>there is a more correct way.
>
>Lou

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